THE BASICS OF PAINTING A CAR FROM HOME

A car cannot be painted well anywhere … OK, there are exceptions, but it also depends on the type of finish you are looking for. Do you want a job at El Cheapo? Or maybe you just want a super sick paint job

Find a place out of the weather, with good ventilation, plenty of room to maneuver, adequate lighting and electricity. Your garage is probably a great place to start, but watch out for safety concerns (water heaters or furnaces that could cause a fire hazard from paint fumes). Gather everything you will need for work and organize it so that everything is easily accessible and you are not in danger.

The basic equipment and supplies you will need to paint a car from home they are …

Paint sprayer

Painting

Sandpaper, sanding blocks

Safety glasses and gloves

Scotch tape

Hand tools for removing trim, etc.

Before you start, repair all dents or blemishes on the bodywork so that they are not visible after painting and removing all rust from the car. Remove the plastic or chrome trim from the car.

This is pretty straightforward. Today, almost all body panel trim found on cars can be easily removed and reattached. But don’t force them if they resist. Go to an auto supply store and pick up the special tools they sell for easier removal. You don’t want to damage the fusion or the chrome.

Next, sand down the paint.

You have to sand it down to bare metal or original primer, and at least enough to create a surface that your new paint will adhere to. For best results, sand the paint down to bare metal, which will mean you will need to re-prime the surface before you can apply the paint.

Then thoroughly clean all surfaces of the car.

Use denatured alcohol or mineral spirits because you don’t want any oil on the surface when painting.

Cover any surfaces that you want to be paint-free with masking tape and paper.

This generally means windows, glass, trim, handles, bars, and mirrors. Make sure there are no punctures or holes in the paper and that the tape is smooth and sticks well. Otherwise, the overspray from the paint gun will get through them and ruin the job.

Apply the paint

Prime the surface with a good primer.

If you have removed all of the paint from the car to bare metal, you should use a corrosion resistant etching primer. Also be sure to thoroughly prime all surfaces that you used body filler on or surfaces that you removed rust from. Take the time to make a smooth transition in these areas. Make sure to apply a lot of paint to fill in any scratches or holes that may be left in the bodywork from sanding, etc.

Check the primer instructions and allow enough time for the primer to dry completely.

Now sand all primed surfaces until completely smooth. Be careful not to over sand and re-expose bare metal. Using a wax / grease or acetone remover, thoroughly clean all primed surfaces to remove any dust or oil that has settled during priming and sanding.

You are now ready to apply the finish paint to the car. Follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions. See if it is recommended to use a hardener or catalyst with the paint. Thin the paint appropriately for the particular equipment you are using. Let the paint dry completely.

Follow with Clear-Coat for a deeper, shinier appearance.

There are other finishing touches and techniques you can use once you’ve gotten to this point, but these are the critical steps you need to take to get a good paint job on your car and save hundreds of dollars doing it yourself in the process! same!